The first half of the 2015-16 NBA season is finally in the books, giving every team not named the Golden State Warriors a much-needed rest during the 2016 NBA All-Star break. Just about every team is beaten up from the grind, save for the defending champs, who have lost four games all season and eye an NBA record 73 wins before it’s all said and done. As amazing as Stephen Curry and co. have been, however, even the champs need some rest and relaxation.
Many Warriors will join the top NBA stars in Toronto, Canada for the 65th annual All-Star weekend starting on Friday, February 12, which includes the much-hyped dunk contest, three-point shootout and various All-Star events at Air Canada Centre. The 18th and final All-Star appearance comes for The Black Mamba, as the Kobe Bryant tour takes a pit stop at All-Star weekend one last time. Bryant will be one of the top draws in the league’s yearly All-Star event, as he combines with some serious star power to give the fans an entertaining show over the next three days.
Bryant’s presence is one big reason why NBA All-Star Game tickets are a hot commodity this year, as fans know that they’ll have a chance to catch the legend live for the last time at this special event. That’s contributed to All-Star Game tickets rising up to $2,932.36 on average per TiqIQ.com, while fans can get in and hit up the cheap seats for as little as $605. There is much more to the All-Star weekend than the actual game on Sunday, too, as fans can get in to see the Celebrity All-Star Game ($269.96 on average) and the Rising Stars Challenge ($161.29) on the 12th and also can gain access to NBA All-Star Saturday night, where fans can catch the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest and the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday the 13th, all for just $1,201.36 on average ($319 to get in the door).
While the prices aren’t exactly on the low end, fans traveling to Canada can at least save cash en route to the 2016 NBA All-Star Game. Thanks to cheap flights and Toronto hotels on Hipmunk.com starting as low as $69, fans can pay up for All-Star Game tickets and not fret the small details when it comes to travel and lodging.
NBA All-Star tickets may be expensive, but the lofty prices certainly don’t come as a shock. According to a recent Forbes article, they’re the most expensive tickets we’ve seen for the NBA All-Star game since 2011, but there is plenty of reason behind it: the NBA’s All-Star game is the best of its kind. The NHL had to completely switch up its format this year to spice things up. The MLB All-Star Game probably ranks second, but due to an infamous “tie” years ago, even that has lost some luster. And the NFL’s Pro Bowl is, well, subpar.
No other All-Star Game in any sport boasts as much excitement and intensity as the NBA All-Star game, which hypes up skill contests and puts the best players against each other in what almost always ends up being a high-scoring affair filled with elite shooting, flashy passing and highlight reel dunks.
It can’t hurt that the other major sports are no longer in season, either. The NFL just wrapped up its season with it’s 50th Super Bowl, Major League Baseball isn’t even back for spring training and March Madness isn’t quite here yet. While the NBA naturally heats up come playoff time later in the spring, it’s at this halfway mark where the top stars and vivacious culture of pro basketball are exposed at the highest level. After all, it’s not every game that you get to see Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry take the court at the same time. It’s also not every All-Star game that you’re saying farewell to a living legend. Much like the tearful goodbye with Michael Jordan in his final go-around, the NBA and its fans will be tuned into this year’s All-Star game with a proper sendoff for Kobe Bryant being at the forefront.
Fans can get into town early to be on hand when the action tips off with Friday’s events, but at the very least will want to arrive early for the game on Sunday. The 65th NBA All-Star Game officially gets started at 8:30 p.m. ET at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario.